Workers' Comp for Roofing Contractors in Florida
Roofing (class code 5551) is one of the highest-rated workers' comp classifications in Florida at $6.752 per $100 payroll. Standard carriers say no — we say yes. Same-day COI, PEO-backed rates.
Get My Roofing QuoteWhy Roofing Workers' Comp Is Hard to Get in Florida
Florida Roofing Workers Comp — NCCI Code 5551 and Why Carriers Decline Roofers
Roofing is classified under NCCI code 5551 — Roofing, All Kinds. The Florida Workers' Compensation Joint Underwriting Association (FWCJUA) sets the 2026 rate for this code at $6.752 per $100 of payroll, effective January 1, 2026. That means a roofing company with $200,000 in annual payroll faces a base premium of over $13,500 before any experience modification — and that's at the manual rate before surcharges for new businesses or adverse loss history.
Florida's year-round roofing season, combined with extreme heat, frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and a constant stream of hurricane repair work, makes roofing one of the most challenging industries to insure in the state. Standard insurance carriers routinely decline roofing contractors, especially those with: a high experience modification rate (EMR), recent claims history, new businesses with no loss history, or specialty work like tile, metal, or flat roofing on commercial properties.
The result? Many Florida roofing contractors are forced to operate without coverage — exposing themselves to stop-work orders, massive fines, and personal liability for injured workers. Under Florida Statute 440.02, construction employers with even one employee must maintain active workers' comp coverage. The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation conducts surprise job site audits and can halt your entire operation on the spot.
Comp Ninjas specializes in exactly this situation for Florida roofing contractors. Comp Ninjas' PEO structure provides access to group insurance pools that accept roofing contractors the open market rejects — including high-EMR accounts, new businesses, and specialty roofing trades like tile, metal, and commercial flat roofing. Comp Ninjas has helped hundreds of Florida roofers get covered fast, with same-day COI issuance and no large upfront deposits required. Florida roofing contractors can apply through Comp Ninjas and receive a same-day coverage decision regardless of prior declines.
Florida Roofing Workers' Comp Rates (2026)
2026 FWCJUA Rate Schedule for Roofing Contractors — Class Code 5551 and Related Trades
The table below shows the official 2026 FWCJUA rates for roofing and related construction trades, effective January 1, 2026. These are the base manual rates before experience modification. PEO group rates through Comp Ninjas are typically 20–40% lower.
| Class Code | Trade Description | Rate per $100 | $100K Payroll | $200K Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5551 | Roofing — All Kinds | $6.752 | $6,752 | $13,504 |
| 5645 | Carpentry — Detached Dwellings (framing) | $7.689 | $7,689 | $15,378 |
| 5651 | Carpentry — Dwellings 3 Stories/Less | $4.886 | $4,886 | $9,772 |
| 5474 | Painting or Paperhanging NOC | $4.481 | $4,481 | $8,962 |
| 5535 | Sheet Metal Work — Installation | $5.331 | $5,331 | $10,662 |
Source: FWCJUA 2026 Rate Schedule effective 1/1/2026. Actual premium depends on experience modification factor, payroll, and carrier underwriting. PEO group rates are typically 20–40% below these manual rates.
The Comp Ninjas Advantage for Florida Roofers
PEO Workers Comp for Roofing Contractors — Same-Day COI, No Deposit, Hard-to-Place OK
High-Risk Specialists
Comp Ninjas accepts roofing contractors that standard carriers decline — including high-EMR accounts, new businesses, and specialty roofing trades. NCCI class code 5551 is Comp Ninjas' specialty. If your roofing company has employees in Florida, Comp Ninjas has coverage.
Same-Day COI
Need a certificate of insurance to start a roofing job today? Comp Ninjas issues your COI the same business day. Comp Ninjas emails it directly to your GC, client, or property owner instantly. Additional insureds added at no charge.
PEO Group Rates
Comp Ninjas' PEO structure gives Florida roofing contractors access to group insurance rates typically 20–40% lower than the FWCJUA manual rate of $6.752 per $100 payroll — even for high-risk roofing classifications like 5551.
Pay-As-You-Go
No large upfront deposit. Your premium is calculated on actual payroll each period. Perfect for roofing contractors with seasonal or variable crew sizes.
Stop-Work Order Risk for Uninsured Roofers
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation conducts surprise job site audits. If your roofing crew is found working without active workers' comp coverage, you face an immediate stop-work order that halts all operations. Penalties include fines equal to 2x the premium that should have been paid, plus $1,000 per day per employee for the entire period of non-compliance.
For a 4-person roofing crew with $200,000 in annual payroll working 30 days uninsured, the penalty exposure is: $13,504 (2x base premium) + $120,000 (30 days × 4 employees × $1,000) = $133,504 in penalties alone, before any injury claims.
All Roofing Classifications Covered in Florida
Workers Comp Coverage for Every Type of Roofing Work in Florida — Residential, Commercial, and Specialty
Florida Roofing Workers' Comp Questions
Common questions about workers comp for Florida roofing contractors, roofers, and storm restoration crews
Why is workers comp so expensive for roofers in Florida?
Roofing carries NCCI classification code 5551, which the Florida Workers' Compensation Joint Underwriting Association (FWCJUA) rates at $6.752 per $100 of payroll for 2026 — one of the highest rates in the state. Florida's year-round roofing season, extreme heat, and hurricane repair work extend exposure compared to other states. Through Comp Ninjas' PEO structure, Florida roofing contractors access group rates that are typically 20–40% lower than the FWCJUA manual rate — significantly reducing the cost compared to individual market policies.
What is the 2026 workers comp rate for roofing in Florida?
The FWCJUA 2026 rate for class code 5551 (Roofing — All Kinds) is $6.752 per $100 of payroll, effective January 1, 2026. This means a roofing company with $200,000 in annual payroll would have a base premium of approximately $13,504 before experience modification. Through our PEO group program, actual rates are typically 20–40% lower than this manual rate.
Can a roofing company get workers comp with a high experience mod?
Yes. Standard carriers often decline roofing companies with experience modification rates (EMR) above 1.0. Our PEO carrier relationships allow us to cover high-mod accounts that the open market rejects. We've helped roofers with EMRs of 1.5+ get covered and get back to work the same day.
Do roofing subcontractors need their own workers comp in Florida?
Yes. Under Florida Statute 440.02, every subcontractor on a roofing job must carry their own workers' compensation policy. If a sub is uninsured and gets injured, the general contractor or roofing company becomes liable. Our PEO program can cover both the GC and all subs under one streamlined structure.
How do I get a same-day COI for a roofing job in Florida?
Complete our 2-minute quote form, get approved, and we issue your Certificate of Insurance the same business day. We can email it directly to your client, general contractor, or property owner — so you never lose a job waiting for paperwork. Additional insureds are added at no charge.
Can a new roofing company with no prior coverage get workers comp?
Absolutely. We specialize in new businesses and contractors with no prior coverage history. Our PEO program doesn't require years of loss history to get approved — we can get most new roofing companies covered within 24 hours of submitting their quote form.
What roofing types are covered under class code 5551?
NCCI class code 5551 (Roofing — All Kinds) covers all types of residential and commercial roofing: shingle, tile, metal, flat/TPO, EPDM, foam, modified bitumen, and built-up roofing. Storm damage repair and hurricane restoration work are also covered under this classification.
What are the stop-work order penalties for uninsured roofers in Florida?
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation can issue an immediate stop-work order for any uninsured roofing employer. Penalties include fines equal to 2x the premium that should have been paid, plus $1,000 per day per uninsured employee. For a 4-person roofing crew working 30 days uninsured, that's a potential $120,000 in daily penalties alone — on top of back premiums at the full manual rate of $6.752 per $100 payroll.
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